Results 1,301-1,320 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Awards (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications that fall to be considered by the Tribunal. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal on his behalf. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have no function or responsibility in relation to the matter raised. As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to his Parliamentary Question 147 of 12 February, 2014 (not 13 February as stated by the Deputy), the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is independent in the exercise of its functions. While the funding for the Ombudsman Commission is provided through my Department, it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Joint Policing Committees Remit (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will be aware, in the context of a commitment in the Programme for Government I initiated a review of the operation of Joint Policing Committees and published a discussion document to support public consultation on the matter. My Department, together with the Garda authorities and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has examined the feedback...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Working Group on Efficiency Measures in the Criminal Justice System in the Circuit and District Courts which reported to myself and the Chief Justice in 2012 is currently progressing initiatives to achieve greater efficiencies and reduced costs in the operations of the Circuit and District Courts. Among the initiatives being progressed is a proposal that court hearings involving persons...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. At Divisional level it is a matter for the Divisional Officer to determine how best to allocate vehicles so as to ensure the continued delivery of an effective policing service. In that context,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law Review (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The current review of criminal legislation on prostitution has not yet been completed and no policy decisions have been taken in this matter. I recently received legal advices from the Attorney General on the Joint Committee's report and these are being examined. The legislative approach to prostitution also has implications for the health and welfare of those involved in prostitution and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents Data (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Applications (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have no function or responsibility in relation to the matter raised. Under the terms of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, as passed by the Oireachtas, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the operation of its functions and decisions on individual cases are a matter for the Board. Under Section 7(3) of the Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Neighbourhood Watch Schemes (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 548 together. I share the widespread outrage at the recent incidents of aggravated burglary in the Donegal area, as highlighted at the meeting referred to, and condemn in the strongest possible terms those who prey on vulnerable and isolated members of our community in this way. The Gardaí are determined to identify those responsible for these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is the policy of An Garda Síochána not to comment on any matters relating to the operation of the National Surveillance Unit.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. The Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Liaison Service (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The property in question is managed by the Estates Directorate of the Irish Prison Service. The hoarding around the site has been repaired recently following severe weather and there has been contact between local residents and the Prison Service in this regard. The future use of the site remains under consideration but no decision has yet been made on the matter. There are, however, no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Opening Hours (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following Garda Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region are due to have open days within the next six months: Tallaght; Blanchardstown; Clondalkin; Lucan; Ballymun; Store Street and the Bridewell. The exact dates and details of the open days will be provided in advance on the Garda website.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Insolvency Act (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) has indicated that in the interest of confidentiality it will not be providing details or breakdowns of the numbers of applications for the various debt solutions received or being processed at this time. The ISI has indicated that it fully intends to provide quarterly statistics once a statistically meaningful number of applications have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 to 547, inclusive, together. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept. I am sure that, on reflection, the Deputy will appreciate that that practice, which has been followed by my predecessors, arises for sound security reasons. The Deputy will be aware that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Closures (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Rathcormac Garda station, in County Cork, has not been identified for closure in the Policing Plan for 2014. An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans for 2012 and 2013 set out the details of the then Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme. It seems unlikely that, at this point in time, there will be any further Garda station closures in 2014 and 2015. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: 705 applications have been received to date. 320 letters of formal offer have issued. So far, 225 of the applicants have accepted the formal offer and 196 payments have issued at a cost of €7 million. Legislation is required in order to implement Judge Quirke's recommendation with regard to the provision of medical services to the women who were admitted to and worked in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Issues (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to this matter and will write to the Deputy when I have further information.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that the allocation of all resources in An Garda Síochana, including vehicles and personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his senior management team in the light of identified operational demands. Garda management closely monitors the operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure that the optimum use is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Policy (25 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No 207 of 20 February 2014. The position remains the same. I should also point out that the policy applies only to future applications for family reunification. Persons already having residence permission on that basis are not impacted and the new arrangements are without prejudice to the rights of foreign nationals to apply...